Honors & Awards
- 2008 First-Team All-Big 12 (San Antonio Express-News)
- 2008 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Associated Press, Coaches, Kansas City Star)
- 2007 Second-Team All-Big 12 (Rivals.com)
- 2007 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (AP)
- 2006 Second-Team All-Big 12 (AP, Kansas City Star, Houston Chronicle, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, San Antonio Express-News)
- 2006 Honorable-Mention All-Big 12 (Coaches)
2008 (Senior)
Offensive lineman Matt Slauson completed an outstanding Nebraska career in the 2008 season by anchoring a strong Nebraska offensive line. Slauson started all 13 games at right guard during his senior season, helping Nebraska rank among the nation’s top 20 in scoring, passing and total offense.
The 6-5, 320-pound Slauson reaped the rewards of his off-season commitment to improve his overall level of conditioning. After dropping more than 20 pounds during the off-season, Slauson was Nebraska’s most complete offensive lineman, helping the Huskers amass more than 400 yards of total offense nine times, and top 30 points 10 times in 13 games
The unit also displayed the physical nature Nebraska coaches wanted, helping the Huskers control the football and rank second nationally in time of possession. He and his offensive line mates played a key role in the success of quarterback Joe Ganz who established Nebraska season records for passing yards, total offense and completion percentage. The Huskers also developed a strong running game averaging 211.7 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry in the final six games of the regular season.
Slauson’s play did not go unnoticed, as he received first-team All-Big 12 honors from the San Antonio Express-News, while being a second-team all-conference selection by several other sources.
2007 (Junior)
Slauson spent the majority of his practice time during the spring and fall camp at guard and went on to play in all 12 games. He made eight starts at three different positions, including right guard and both tackle spots. Slauson and fellow junior Mike Huff rotated as the starter at right guard for the first 10 games, before Slauson opened at left tackle against Kansas State, and started at right tackle in the season finale at Colorado.
Behind the offensive line, Nebraska averaged 468.2 yards per game, its best offensive total in 10 seasons, while averaging a school-record 323.8 passing yards per contest. The line allowed quarterbacks Joe Ganz and Sam Keller to post four of the top five passing days in school history. I-back Marlon Lucky also flourished on the ground, rushing for 1,019 yards, while posting the best all-purpose season by a Husker in 10 years. Slauson also played a key role in protecting the quarterback, and Nebraska finished the year by allowing just 18 sacks in 296 pass attempts.
Slauson earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors from the Associated Press and second-team all-league mention by Rivals.com.
2006 (Sophomore)
Slauson was entrenched as the Huskers’ starting right tackle during the first 11 games of the season. He suffered a leg injury that forced him to miss the final two regular-season games other than extra-point team duty. He returned to action on the line in the Cotton Bowl, but was limited. When healthy, Slauson was one of the driving forces behind an improved and balanced Nebraska offense that ranked among the nation’s leaders in both rushing and passing and finished 14th in total offense.
Slauson helped clear the way for NU’s four-man I-back committee to combine for more than 2,400 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns. From his right tackle spot, Slauson also helped provide sufficient protection for quarterback Zac Taylor to break most of the Huskers’ single-season and career passing records and earn Big 12 Offensive Player-of-the-Year honors.
Slauson was honored for his performance, as he was a second-team All-Big 12 performer according to several media outlets, including the Associated Press. He was also an honorable-mention all-conference pick by the Big 12 coaches.
2005 (Freshman)
A late addition to Nebraska’s 2005 signing class, Slauson joined the program just before fall camp in 2005. One of a Nebraska record 13 true freshmen to see action, Slauson played in nine games overall and was a regular on Nebraska’s extra-point and field goal units throughout the year, before entering the offensive line rotation late in the season.
Slauson started at right tackle against Kansas State, Colorado and Michigan. His performance was a major factor in Nebraska’s 3-0 finish to the season, including what was at the time the second-best passing game in school history with 392 yards at Colorado.
Before Nebraska (Air Force Prep)
Slauson played one season at Air Force Prep School in Colorado Springs, lining up at offensive tackle. Slauson spent the 2003 season at Air Academy High in Colorado Springs, after moving from Oregon before his senior season.
Slauson began his high school career at Sweet Home High School in Oregon, where he starred on the offensive line for Coach Rob Younger. Overall, Slauson lettered three times in football, twice in basketball and four times in track during his prep career.
Personal
The son of Rob and Nancy Slauson, Matt was born on Feb. 18, 1986. Slauson is a sociology major, and is on track to graduate in May of 2009. He has volunteered his time as a YMCA Youth Sports Volunteer and also as part of Nebraska’s team hospital visits.
Slauson's Career Statistics
Games Played -Â 48 (9 in 2005, 14 in 2006, 12 in 2007, 13 in 2008)
Games Started -Â 35 (3 in 2005, 11 in 2006, 8 in 2007, 13 in 2008)